The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel | Alexander Mccall Smith

The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel | Alexander Mccall Smith | Lives up to expectations

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The Comforts of a ...

	The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel Alexander Mccall Smith Pantheon, 2008 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

In the fabulous new installment in the best-selling adventures of Isabel Dalhousie, Isabel is asked to help a doctor who has been disgraced by allegations of scientific fraud concerning a newly marketed drug. Our ever-curious moral philosopher finds her interest piqued. Would a doctor with a stellar reputation make such a simple but grave mistake? If not, what explains the tragic accident that resulted in the death of a patient? Clearly, an investigation is in order, especially since a man's reputation is in jeopardy. Could he be the victim of someone else's mistake? Or perhaps he has been willfully deceived by a pharmaceutical company with a great deal to gain.

Not every problem prompts an investigation (take, for example, her ongoing struggle with her housekeeper, Grace, over the care of Isabel's infant son, Charlie), but, as we've seen, whatever the case, whatever the solution, Isabel's combination of spirit, smarts, empathy, and unabashed nosiness guarantees a delightful adventure.

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The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday

Excellent "next chapter" in this series about a very interesting woman. I enjoy the philosophical tidbits he inserts into the story - Smith also takes a chance with this character in allowing her to become a mother and to have a younger lover. Very different from the series with "Precious" but intriguing in it's own way.

Lives up to expectations

I love this series from Alexander McCall Smith. He continues to flesh out the characters as only he can--Isabel's romance with a younger man, the complication of a child born from that romance, and all that entails. Add, the ethical dilemmas with the unraveling of a mysterious circumstance and you have a very well rounded book to think about and enjoy.

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A Good, but not Great, Read

I also love Alexander McCall Smith and Isabel Dalhousie is one of my favorite characters. This novel is so enjoyable, as there are plenty of observations on human nature and the beauty and history of Scotland. I had a few laughs out loud while enjoying Isabel's latest situations. However, I agree with another reviewer that the subplots did not go anywhere. I was a little disappointed, but even a book without a plot written by McCall Smith is better than many other books out there. And he is so prolific, you can't really fault him. I can't wait for the next installment in this series, as the characters are so real and interesting.

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*Muddy Saturdays Can be a Treat*

The treats of a "muddy Saturday" are somewhat reminiscent of being thrown on one's own resources during a blizzard or lengthy electrical outage. The vagaries of Nature often steer us toward activities that give unexpected pleasure.

In our woods we allow the surroundings to play their natural role - - and we are happily distracted by 'our' fox, birds making seasonal visits, turkeys and deer. This book by Alexander McCall Smith is a different sort of 'treat' - - it won't bowl you over but it will add a certain comfort to an inclement day.

McCall Smith increasingly delivers surprises - - How does he juggle the series he has created? Somehow I am also surprised when I find any of his books NOT an absolute favorite. "Comforts" is the 5th in the Isabel Dalhousie series. It is not a favorite (I couldn't say it is "fabulous"), yet I feel assured that there will be another book, and other chapters for each of his characters, claiming our attention.

Now that's a happy thought to help me overlook whatever tension the weather might serve up. What could be more comforting on such a Saturday as yielding to the charms of A - M - S?

(commentary-with-a-small-"c" by mcHaiku)

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Disappointed In Isabel a bit

I've always liked Isabel Dalhousie. In the beginning of the series, she is everything she is now except one: she wasn't insecure. Even getting together with Jamie, she took charge. It was great to read. I love strong women.

However, the last book and this one, she has degenerated into a really insecure person. And her infatuation with Jamie is a bit disturbing. Very little is written about his good heart, but every few pages we get a description of how good-looking he is, of how he is hers, and how proud she is of his good looks and flat belly, and on and on an on. It got really irritating.

And sadly, her son, seems to be incidental. There are no description of strong feelings for him. It's a tepid relationship at best. Jamie is the obsession. Again, disturbing.

That and the sad lack of plot. What the heck is with Nick? I'll still keep reading though. I love McCall Smith's novels.

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reviews: page 1, 2

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